Is the State Stupid?

AP Wire | 01/28/2005 | Amish business owners question how they'll file sales taxes electronically

Amish business owners question how they'll file sales taxes electronically

Associated Press


YORK, Pa. - Now that the state Revenue Department will require businesses to file their monthly and quarterly sales tax electronically, some Amish merchants are left wondering how they'll comply with the new rules and stay true to their way of life.

Starting in February, businesses must pay the taxes online, by telephone or by using third-party software. The old-fashioned coupon books are being discontinued.

The state has been sending letters to Amish and non-Amish retailers alike letters informing them that the change is coming.

Anna Fisher, who works at Penn Dutch Furniture & Crafts at The Markets at Shrewsbury, received her notice a few weeks ago about the change. The state says the switch will make it faster, cheaper and easier to file and collect the taxes, but Fisher, who is Amish, is uncertain how her business will comply.

"It's against our church rules to use electricity and computers," Fisher said. "It was so simple doing it by paper.

"We try and keep our (business) as simple as we can."

Revenue Department officials said they will work with Amish merchants on an individual basis but they will not be creating a special paper form for them. The department has been meeting with Amish community leaders to discuss the change and their concerns.

"We understand their circumstances," department spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant said. "Theirs are a little different than anyone else's."